U.S. patent application number 12/073920 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for machine and method for producing and dispensing liquid or semi-liquid consumer food products.
Invention is credited to Gino Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini, Gianni Zaniboni.
Application Number | 20080226779 12/073920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39456410 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080226779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cocchi; Gino ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
Machine and method for producing and dispensing liquid or
semi-liquid consumer food products
Abstract
A machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid
consumer food products such as ice creams, whipped cream, yogurt
and the like comprises a container for a basic product of the
consumer food product, a feed and treatment circuit for the basic
product, comprising a feed pump, dispensing means positioned at an
outfeed end of the feed and treatment circuit, and a device for
checking the bacterial load of the product during
production/dispensing; an electronic control unit controlling and
regulating the various steps for measuring the bacterial load.
Inventors: |
Cocchi; Gino; (Bologna,
IT) ; Lazzarini; Roberto; (Reggio Emilia, IT)
; Zaniboni; Gianni; (Borgonuovo Di Sasso Marconi,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harbin & Klima
500 Ninth Street SE
Washington
DC
20003
US
|
Family ID: |
39456410 |
Appl. No.: |
12/073920 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/231 ;
222/146.1; 222/148; 222/52; 99/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A23G 9/30 20130101; A23L
3/001 20130101; Y10T 436/117497 20150115; A23G 9/305 20130101; A23G
9/281 20130101; A23V 2300/00 20130101; A23G 9/228 20130101; A23C
7/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/231 ; 99/485;
222/52; 222/148; 222/146.1 |
International
Class: |
G01N 33/02 20060101
G01N033/02; G01N 33/04 20060101 G01N033/04; A47J 43/00 20060101
A47J043/00; B67D 5/08 20060101 B67D005/08; B67D 5/06 20060101
B67D005/06; B67D 5/62 20060101 B67D005/62 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 12, 2007 |
IT |
BO2007A000163 |
Claims
1. A machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid
consumer food products, comprising a container or tank (3) for a
basic product of the consumer food product, a feed and treatment
circuit (4) for the basic product, dispensing means (11) positioned
at an outfeed end of the feed and treatment circuit (4), wherein
the machine also comprises a device (18) for checking the bacterial
load of the consumer food product.
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the checking device
(18) comprises at least one sensor (19) which can be operatively
engaged with the basic product and/or the consumer food
product.
3. The machine according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
sensor (19) is mounted in the container or tank (3).
4. The machine according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
sensor (19) is mounted in the feed and treatment circuit (4).
5. The machine according to claim 2, wherein the checking device
(18) comprises at least one analysis chamber (21), means (25) for
drawing a predetermined quantity of basic product and/or consumer
food product and means for placing the predetermined quantity in,
or making the predetermined quantity pass through, the analysis
chamber (21).
6. The machine according to claim 5, wherein said at least one
sensor (19) is mounted in the analysis chamber (21).
7. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the analysis chamber
(21) is in fluid communication with the container or tank (3), for
drawing the predetermined quantity from the container or tank
(3).
8. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the analysis chamber
(21) is positioned inside the container or tank (3).
9. The machine according to claim 5, wherein it also comprises
means (26a) for sanitizing the analysis chamber (21) after the
quantity of product checked has been expelled from it.
10. The machine according to claim 8, wherein it also comprises
heating means (26) operatively connected to the analysis chamber
(21), for pasteurizing the quantity of, product checked before said
quantity of product is put back into the tank (3).
11. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the analysis chamber
(21) is in fluid communication with the feed and treatment circuit
(4), for drawing the predetermined quantity from the feed and
treatment circuit (4).
12. The machine according to claim 5, wherein the analysis chamber
(21) is in fluid communication with the dispensing means (11), for
drawing the predetermined quantity from the dispensing means
(11).
13. The machine according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
sensor (19) is of the impedimetric type.
14. The machine according to claim 5, wherein it also comprises
heating means (26) operatively connected to the analysis chamber
(21), for speeding up bacterial replication.
15. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the feed and
treatment circuit (4) comprises a whipping and freezing unit (39)
consisting of a freezing cylinder connected to a refrigerating unit
and housing a stirrer.
16. The machine according to claim 15, wherein the analysis chamber
(21) is in fluid communication with the whipping and freezing unit
(39).
17. The machine according to claim 1, wherein it also comprises a
device (27) for washing the feed and treatment circuit (4) and/or
the tank (3) and/or the dispensing means (11).
18. The machine according to claim 17, wherein the device (18) for
checking the bacterial load also comprises an electronic control
unit (20), for controlling said check.
19. The machine according to claim 18, wherein the electronic
control unit (20) is also operatively connected to the washing
device (27), for automatically controlling said washing based on
the analysis carried out by the device (18) for checking the
bacterial load.
20. A method for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid
consumer food products, comprising the steps of preparing a basic
product of the consumer food product in a container or tank (3),
feeding the basic product though a feed and treatment circuit (4)
to consumer food product dispensing means (11), wherein the method
also comprises the step of checking the bacterial load of the
consumer food product during the production and/or dispensing of
the consumer food product.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the check of the
bacterial load is carried out automatically.
22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the check of the
bacterial load is carried out at predetermined time intervals.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the check of the
bacterial load is carried out by detecting the impedance of the
consumer food product.
24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of checking
the bacterial load of the consumer food product is carried out by
drawing a predetermined quantity of basic product and/or consumer
food product, placing the predetermined quantity in an analysis
chamber (21), or making the predetermined quantity pass through the
analysis chamber (21), and detecting the bacterial load of the
predetermined quantity.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the step of detecting
the bacterial load of the predetermined quantity comprises the step
of heating the predetermined quantity to a predetermined
temperature (T), to speed up bacterial replication.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the predetermined
temperature (T) is between around 20.degree. C. and around
38.degree. C. and preferably between around 34.degree. C. and
around 38.degree. C.
27. The method according to claim 20, wherein it also comprises the
step of supplying a value (C) indicating the bacterial load,
comparing it with a preset reference value (R) and issuing an alarm
signal if the value (C) indicating the bacterial load exceeds the
preset value (R).
28. The method according to claim 20, wherein it also comprises the
step of supplying a value (C) indicating the bacterial load,
comparing it with a preset reference value (R) and automatically
washing the feed and treatment circuit (4) and/or the tank (3)
and/or the dispensing means (11) if the value (C) indicating the
bacterial load exceeds the preset value (R).
29. The method according to claim 24, wherein it also comprises the
step of pasteurizing, in the analysis chamber (21), the quantity of
product checked and putting said pasteurized quantity of product
back into the tank (3).
30. The method according to claim 24, wherein it also comprises the
step of discharging the quantity of product checked from the
analysis chamber (21) then sanitizing the chamber (21).
31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the sanitizing is
carried out by introducing steam and/or washing liquids into the
analysis chamber (21).
32. The method for producing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food
products according to claim 20, wherein it is applied in a process
system for the food industry, for example a system for the
milk-dairy sector, and similar products.
33. The machine according to claim 1, wherein it also comprises a
device (18) for checking another type of pollutant.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for producing and
dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products.
[0002] The present invention can be used in systems for the
milk-dairy sector and, more generally, in food industry process
systems.
[0003] The present invention relates in particular, although
without limiting the scope of the inventive concept, to machines
for producing and dispensing crushed-ice drinks, sorbets, ice
creams, soft ice creams, cream, yogurt and the like and to machines
for producing and preserving mixtures for ice cream, creams,
sauces, soups and mixtures in general and the like.
[0004] As is known, machines of the above-mentioned type comprise a
container for the basic product, consisting for example of liquid
cream, mixtures of products for ice cream, syrups and the like, and
a feed circuit along which there are devices, including
refrigerating means, for the treatment and processing of the basic
product and at the outfeed end of which there are dispensing
devices, consisting of nozzles or taps designed to allow collection
of the finished product (whipped cream, ice cream, crushed-ice
drink, etc.).
[0005] Partly because the products they treat are highly
perishable, such machines are subject to frequent checks and
maintenance work to guarantee that perfect hygienic conditions are
maintained along the entire feed circuit.
[0006] In particular, the main problem of the above-mentioned
machines for professional use is linked to the presence of
milk-based mixtures and the consequent need to clean and sanitize
the machines so as to prevent the proliferation of microbes.
[0007] At present, a preventive maintenance procedure is performed
at predetermined intervals, from daily to twice-weekly depending on
the features of the machines. For example, machines without
integrated heat treatment devices must be sanitized at the latest
every seventy two hours, whilst for automatic pasteurizing machines
the interval is every two weeks.
[0008] With regard to this, European patent application EP1716760,
by the same Applicant, relates to a machine for producing and
dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food products equipped
with a washing device, used to introduce, in alternate steps, into
the feed and treatment circuit a flow of fluid in the liquid state
or steam, to allow circuit washing and sanitizing. A central
processing unit controls and regulates the various washing and
sanitizing steps.
[0009] Irrespective of whether or not the machine must be
disassembled to carry out the cleaning or has integrated and
automatic sanitizing devices, all of the operations performed are
preventive and cannot guarantee total product sanitariness.
[0010] Events which are out of the ordinary that can occur during
machine operation, or even during manual cleaning, expose parts of
the machine to contamination by microbes and subsequent
contamination of the product being processed.
[0011] Although there are methods for estimating the cell mass of a
bacterial population, said methods require laboratory analyses,
high costs, very lengthy periods of time and are applied, for
example in the dairy sector, only for carrying out spot checks.
[0012] Moreover, since preventive maintenance procedures are
carried out without any preliminary analysis, it is possible that
they are performed when not really necessary, consequently wasting
time and money.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a
machine for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid
consumer food products which is able to overcome the
above-mentioned disadvantages. In accordance with the present
invention this aim is achieved by a machine and a method for
producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food
products with the characteristics described in one or more of the
claims herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The technical characteristics of the invention, with
reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims
below and its advantages are more apparent in the detailed
description which follows, with reference to the accompanying
drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention
provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of
the inventive concept, and in which:
[0015] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic block diagrams of two
embodiments, in accordance with the present invention, of a machine
for producing and dispensing liquid and semi-liquid consumer food
products;
[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective schematic views, with some
parts cut away and others exploded, of two machines made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic section of a detail from
FIG. 3;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view with some parts cut
away and others drawn in dashed line style, of another machine made
in accordance with the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view with some parts cut away and
others drawn in dashed line style, of another type of machine made
in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another machine made in
accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view, with some parts in cross-section, of
the machine of FIG. 8;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a side view, with some parts in cross-section, of
the machine of FIG. 8;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-section of an element which can be
applied to the machines shown in the previous figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 1 denotes as
a whole a machine for producing and dispensing liquid or
semi-liquid consumer food products and in particular a cream
whipping machine. The machine 1, as also shown in FIG. 3, has a
base 2 which substantially has the shape of a parallelepiped which
houses a tank 3 for holding a basic product of the consumer food
product, which in the case considered is liquid cream.
[0025] The numeral 4 denotes as a whole a cream feed and treatment
circuit. The circuit 4 comprises a first pipe 5 connecting the tank
3 to a quick coupling and release joint 6, a second pipe 7
connecting the joint 6 and a pump 8, having a motor 9, for feeding
the basic product to treatment means, labeled 10 as a whole and
fitted at their outfeed end with dispensing means 11.
[0026] As illustrated in detail in FIG. 5, the treatment means 10
comprise an emulsifying homogenizer core 12 consisting of a tubular
element 13 with a substantially horizontal axis, in which a
cylindrical body 14 is inserted coaxially to it, the cylindrical
body having a plurality of projections 15 on its outer surface,
known to experts in the trade as a "Labyrinth".
[0027] Thus, between the inner surface of the tubular element 13
and the cylindrical body 14 a passage is formed for the liquid
cream fed by the pump 8. The projections 15 are preferably
positioned in such a way that along the passage they form winding
paths which have the effect of increasing the collisions of the fat
particles in the liquid cream, resulting in the absorption of air
which whips the cream.
[0028] An end section of the tubular element 13 is positioned
inside a box-shaped body 16 fixed to the outside of the base 2.
Said box-shaped body supports below it and at its free end the
dispensing means 11 consisting of a nozzle 17 connected to the free
end of the tubular element 13.
[0029] A device 18 for checking the bacterial load of the consumer
food product is also part of the machine 1. Said checking device 18
comprises at least one sensor 19, connected to an electronic
control unit 20 and able to detect the size of the product
bacterial load. Therefore, the sensor 19 can be operatively engaged
with the consumer food product and/or with the basic product and,
according to an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, may be installed
in the tank 3 or in the feed and treatment circuit 4.
[0030] In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates one sensor 19 positioned
in the emulsifying homogenizer core 12 and one sensor 19 positioned
in the liquid cream tank 3. However, the sensor 19 could be
positioned at different points of the feed and treatment circuit 4,
for example in the first or second connecting pipe 5, 7.
[0031] In accordance with an alternative embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the device 18 for checking the bacterial load
comprises an analysis chamber 21 which is separate from the tank 3
and from the feed and treatment circuit 4.
[0032] The chamber 21 is in fluid communication with the container
or tank 3 and/or with the feed and treatment circuit 4 by means of
respective pipes 22 if necessary fitted with valves 23 and
respective pumps 24. The pipes 22 together with the valves 23 and
the pumps 24, form means 25 designed to draw a predetermined
quantity of basic product and/or consumer food product and to place
it in, or make it pass through, the chamber 21.
[0033] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sensor
19 is mounted in the analysis chamber 21 and is again controlled by
the electronic control unit 20.
[0034] The sensor 19 is preferably of the impedimetric type, that
is to say, it measures an impedance value which is correlated to
the concentration of any bacteria present.
[0035] In accordance with a first type of process, a single
impedance measurement is directly correlated to the bacterial load
present. Said first type of process provides an immediate result
and is preferably used together with the sensors 19 positioned
directly in the tank 3 and/or in the feed and treatment circuit 4
(FIG. 1).
[0036] Alternatively, in accordance with a second type of process,
two or more impedance measurements are taken one after another to
obtain an impedance curve as a function of time, there being the
possibility of referring the trend of the curve to the bacterial
load value. The speed of the increase in the bacteria is partly
dependent on the initial concentration of bacteria. The second
process is therefore based on measuring changes in the electrical
properties of the product induced by the multiplication of the
micro-organisms.
[0037] Said second type of process is preferably used with a sample
of product to be treated "beside" the rest, that is to say, with
the predetermined quantity of product extracted from the circuit 4
and introduced into the analysis chamber 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0038] To speed up bacterial replication and reduce analysis times,
the analysis chamber 21 is preferably equipped with heating means
26, only schematically illustrated, which bring the above-mentioned
predetermined quantity to a predetermined temperature "T",
approximately between around 20.degree. C. and 38.degree. C. and
preferably between around 34.degree. C. and around 38.degree.
C.
[0039] Said heating is necessary for milk-based products treated
(whipped cream, ice cream, crushed-ice drink, etc.) which during
production are usually kept at lower temperatures to guarantee
their preservation.
[0040] According to an alternative embodiment of the second
process, the predetermined quantity is made to pass through a
channel in the analysis chamber 21, where a concentration of
bacteria occurs. The subsequent impedance measurement is taken on
the bacterial load accumulated there.
[0041] However, in all of the cases described above, the variation
in the impedance detected by the sensor 19 is translated into a
bacterial load value by means of the control unit 20
electronics.
[0042] In practice, during a normal machine 1 production cycle, the
device 18 for checking the bacterial load is automatically
activated at predetermined time intervals, for example set using a
user interface which is part of the electronic control unit 20, and
at output supplies a value "C" representing the bacterial load
present in the product contained in the tank 3 and/or in the
circuit 4 or in the sample of product drawn from the tank 3 or the
circuit 4.
[0043] Said value "C" may, for example, be communicated to the user
by means of a graphical interface and/or sent to a machine central
control unit which suspends production and if necessary starts a
machine washing cycle.
[0044] More specifically, the value "C" detected is compared in the
control unit with a preset reference value "R" or reference range
".DELTA.R". If the value "C" detected exceeds the preset value or
falls outside the preset reference range ".DELTA.R", the control
unit issues an alarm signal, to warn the user, and/or automatically
starts the washing cycle for the feed and treatment circuit 4
and/or for the tank 3 and/or for the dispensing means 11.
[0045] After performing the check, the quantity of product
contained in the analysis chamber 21 is expelled from it. The
chamber 21 is then preferably sanitized, to eliminate any bacteria
which accumulated there and to make the chamber 21 ready for a new
measurement.
[0046] For this purpose, sanitizing means 26a, schematically
illustrated only in FIG. 2 are operatively connected to the
analysis chamber 21.
[0047] These sanitizing means 26a allow the introduction into the
chamber 21 of steam and/or washing liquids and are, for example, of
the type described in European patent application EP 1 716 760 by
the same Applicant, wholly referred to herein in order to provide a
complete description.
[0048] A device for washing the feed and treatment circuit 4 is
also preferably part of the machine 1. Said device, for simplicity
illustrated only in FIG. 1 and labeled 27 as a whole, is for
example of the type described in the above-mentioned patent
application EP 1 716 760.
[0049] The washing device 27 comprises means 28 for introducing a
washing fluid into the circuit. The fluid introduction means 28
comprise means 29 for connection to a washing fluid source and
consist of pump means 30 connected at infeed, by valve means 31, to
a feed pipe 32 for the washing fluid contained in a tank 33 and
consisting of water and/or a sanitizing liquid. Alternatively,
there may be a pipe 34 connecting the valve means 21 and the water
mains schematically indicated with the arrow 35. The fluid
introduction means also comprise heating or boiler means 36 for the
water and/or sanitizing liquid, and a first and a second pipe 37,
38 connecting the heating means 36 respectively with a first outlet
point 39 at the joint 6 and a second outlet point 40 at a tubular
element 13 infeed.
[0050] The washing device 27 has control means 41 comprising a
central processing unit 42 including timing means 43 and
temperature regulating means 44 for the heating means 36.
[0051] The central processing unit 42 is controlled from a keyboard
45 which the operator uses to enter data, and is connected at
output to the valve means 31, the pump means 30, the heating means
36 a valve 46 located along the first pipe 37, a valve 47 located
along the second pipe 38, and another valve 48 located along the
pipe 5, and finally to the motor 9.
[0052] The electronic control unit 20 which controls the device 18
for checking the bacterial load is also operatively connected to
the washing device 27, to automatically control washing based on
the analysis carried out by the device 18 for checking the
bacterial load. For example, the machine 1 central control unit
preferably unites both the electronic control unit 20 and the
central processing unit 42.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a machine 1 for producing ice cream,
which differs from the machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 due to the
fact that the feed and treatment circuit 4 comprises a "whipping
and freezing" unit, labeled 49, consisting of a freezing cylinder
connected to a refrigerating unit and housing a stirrer, of the
known type and therefore not illustrated. In the front part of the
cylinder there is a tap 50 for dispensing the ice cream.
[0054] In said embodiment, the analysis chamber 21 is in fluid
communication with the whipping and freezing unit 49 and/or with
the tank 3 by means of the pipe 22, and if present the valve 23 and
the pump 24.
[0055] Alternatively, the analysis chamber 21 may be positioned in
the tank 3, connected to a tank inner wall, and is of the type
illustrated in FIG. 11 and described below.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a machine 1 for producing, pasteurizing and
preserving creams for fillings and coatings, color mixture for
chocolate, fruit jams, mixtures in general, mixtures for ice
creams, sauces and similar products.
[0057] In this case, the feed and treatment circuit 4 consists of a
tank 3, having a vertical axis 3a, closed by a lid 51 and housing a
stirrer 52, designed to stir the product. On the front of the
machine 1 there is a tap 53 for dispensing the product from the
tank 3. The tank 3 is equipped with an indirect heating device, of
the known type and not illustrated, able to generate high cooking
temperatures, as well as a refrigerating system, also not
illustrated, which allows the product processed to be preserved in
the machine at the end of the production cycle.
[0058] In said embodiment, the analysis chamber 21 is positioned
inside the tank 3, as described below with reference to FIG.
11.
[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates another machine 1 for producing and
pasteurizing mixtures for ice cream and similar products.
[0060] In this case, the feed and treatment circuit 4 consists of a
tank 54, having a vertical axis 55 and closed at the top by a
transparent lid 56.
[0061] At its base 57 the tank 54 has a cup pump, labeled 58 as a
whole, housed inside a substantially cylindrical compartment 59
around which there is a hot-cold heat exchange circuit 60, of the
known type and schematically illustrated in dashed line style. The
pump 58 has a stirrer with vanes 61, designed to stir the product.
On the front of the machine 1 there is a tap 62 for dispensing the
product from the tank 54.
[0062] In said embodiment, the analysis chamber 21 is positioned
inside the tank 3, as described below with reference to FIG.
11.
[0063] FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate another machine 1 for producing
ice cream. The machine 1 comprises a base 2 which substantially has
the shape of a parallelepiped, the top of which supports the tank 3
for containing a basic product, in the form of a liquid mixture, to
be processed to obtain ice creams. Connected to the tank 3 is a
circuit 63 of a refrigerating system for keeping the mixture at a
predetermined temperature, in particular around 4.degree. C.
[0064] Below the tank 3, the base 3 supports a horizontal whipping
and freezing cylinder 64, of the known type, to which the mixture
is fed by a gear pump 65, positioned at the tank 3 and in
communication with the tank via a suction pipe 66 for drawing the
mixture from the tank 3 and sending it by means of a delivery pipe
67 to a whipping and freezing cylinder 6 infeed 68.
[0065] Inside the cylinder 64 there is a mixing blade 69 for the
product treated, which is driven in rotation about its axis by a
variable speed motor unit 70 and can push the product towards and
into a dispenser tap 71 mounted on the whipping and freezing
cylinder 64 outfeed front wall and forming the above-mentioned
dispensing means 11.
[0066] It should be noticed that the pump 65, the suction pipe 66,
the delivery pipe 67 and the cylinder 64 as a whole form the feed
and treatment circuit 4 for the above-mentioned mixture.
[0067] According to that embodiment, the analysis chamber 21 is in
fluid communication with the dispensing means 11, to draw the
predetermined quantity from them.
[0068] In particular, the analysis chamber 21 is delimited by a
box-shaped body 72 mounted on the front face of the machine 1 close
to the dispenser tap 71 and connected to the latter by a pipe 22
(FIG. 9). The sensor 19, supported by the box-shaped body 72, gives
onto the inside of the chamber 21. The analysis chamber 21 is also
equipped with the above-mentioned heating means 26, not
illustrated.
[0069] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
box-shaped body 72 which delimits the analysis chamber 21. The
box-shaped body 72 may be applied, for example, to the inner wall
3a of the tank 3 of each of the machines 1 illustrated in FIGS. 3
and 6, as well as to the inner wall of the tank 54 of the machine
in FIG. 7.
[0070] The analysis chamber 21 consists of a cylindrical pipe made
inside the box-shaped body 72 and surrounded by electric heating
elements which form the heating means 26.
[0071] The sensor 19 is inserted in the pipe 21 through a wall of
the box-shaped body 72 and extends perpendicularly to the
longitudinal axis "X" of the pipe 21.
[0072] The pipe 21 has opposite ends 21a in fluid communication
with the tank 3 which houses the box-shaped body 72.
[0073] Both ends 21a of the pipe 21 can be closed by means of
movable walls 73, which in the specific case illustrated consist of
respective pistons which move by sliding, when the command is given
by suitable actuators, not illustrated, along a direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "X" of the pipe 21.
[0074] Irrespective of the specific embodiment, if the box-shaped
body 72 and the analysis chamber 21 are inserted in the tank 3, the
quantity of product checked is not eliminated, but instead is put
back into the tank 3 after undergoing a pasteurizing treatment. For
this purpose, the heating means 26, or additional heating means
suitably used, can bring the temperature of the quantity of product
still in the analysis chamber 21 to a value (itself known and
typically 70-80.degree. C.) sufficient to cause said
pasteurization.
[0075] Introducing the quantity of product into the pipe 21 and
putting it back into the tank 3 are achieved by simply opening the
ends 21a and making use of the continuous mixing of the product in
the tank 3 for example by the stirrer 52 in FIG. 6, the stirrer 61
in FIG. 7 or the pump 65 in FIG. 10.
[0076] According to other embodiments, not illustrated nor
described in detail, the device 18 for checking the bacterial load
disclosed may also be installed on other food industry process
systems, such as systems for the milk-dairy sector. In such a case,
the number of sensors 19 and/or analysis chambers 21 used, their
position and their structure will depend on the structure of the
system and the dimensions of the containment tanks and/or the pipes
in which the product to be checked is contained/through which it
passes.
[0077] The device 18 for checking the bacterial load applied to the
machines described in detail or to the systems indicated above
could also be designed to check, as an alternative to or in
addition to the bacterial load, other types of pollutants which may
be present in the products being prepared.
[0078] The present invention achieves the preset aims and brings
important advantages.
[0079] The possibility of detecting directly on the machine and
continuously during machine operation, the bacterial load of the
mixtures treated, allows the sanitariness of the food product being
prepared to be guaranteed.
[0080] Moreover, such detection allows the activation, even without
operator intervention, of machine sanitizing if the bacterial load
detected exceeds the limits allowed. Said automation not only makes
the machine intrinsically safer, but allows machine downtimes to be
limited, production management optimized and costs contained.
[0081] The invention described above is susceptible of industrial
application and may be modified and adapted in several ways without
thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.
Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted by
technically equivalent elements.
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